Birdog USB Plus Problem

[FTA4PA]

I have a Birdog USB Plus that I am having a problem with. The meter powers up fine, the battery seems to hold a charge and it has the latest firmware installed from the Birdog web site. I have working c and ku motorized dishes (working meaning we use them on a daily basis to watch tv so I know when I go to a sat it is pointed correctly). I have installed sat files generated by the Birdog web site for universal ku, standard ku and c band. When I park either dish at a known sat location and connect the meter to the lnb it will not detect anything. I ran the built in lnb/cable test and it returns LNB/Cable Fault no matter which lnb is connected to it (standard ku, universal ku, Titanium C1-PLL). I have tested the voltage output from the meter and it is 12 volts for vertical and 17.59 for horizontal. Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

[FTA4PA]

No ideas? Someone must have used one of these meters at some point where it will show "Searching" and never show "Found", even when you know you are pointed directly at the sat? The meter is in great shape and everything works - display, charging, all menus and functions are accessible - it just won't lock on the signal. I've searched the web and seen people offering to repair these for this exact problem. I'm good at soldering and repair a lot of my own stuff. I've searched for a repair manual for these with no luck. Someone out there must know what causes this and how to fix them?

 

[. Raine]

Saw this thread where someone is talking about that problem and it seems like they got it fixed, bad connections on the tuner board it looks like?

http://www.satfix.net/archive/index.php/t-78074.html

 

[KE4EST]

Never had that problem with mine.
I do agree with what A Raine posted. That would be the first thing I would check.

 

[FTA4PA]

Saw this thread where someone is talking about that problem and it seems like they got it fixed, bad connections on the tuner board it looks like? http://www.satfix.net/archive/index.php/t-78074.html

Never had that problem with mine.
I do agree with what A Raine posted. That would be the first thing I would check.

Thanks for the replies guys. This one has the upgraded heavy screw on connectors between the front inputs and tuner board, not the earlier cheap connection. Still, I disassembled them, cleaned everything and checked for continuity. No breaks anywhere. Also pulled the flat ribbon cable that goes between the tuner and main board, cleaned and reinserted. After reassembly still no joy. Any other ideas?

 

[FTA4PA]

Still trying to figure this out why my Birdog USB Plus won't see sats. I tried custom carrier today on several sats - no luck with that either. In short, the battery charges and holds charge, all menus and functions appear to be working, the display is good, I've pointed my dish at know good sat locations on my working system and it just sits there displaying Searching no matter what I do. When run the LNB/Cable test function it displays LNB/Cable fault even with known good LNBs. I've tested the voltage output and I'm getting 12 volts for vertical and 17.59 volts for horizontal. Could it be a bad tuner? Can parts be purchased for these meters anywhere? I would really like to fix this without sending it away somewhere. Any ideas or similar experiences?

 

[. Raine]

Can you post a picture of the tuner module? Is there a label on the tuner itself with a part #?

Maybe try hooking a circular LNB to it if you have one and see if that works, it might just be only setup for Directv and Hughesnet and not linear LNBs.

 

[FTA4PA]

Can you post a picture of the tuner module? Is there a label on the tuner itself with a part #? Maybe try hooking a circular LNB to it if you have one and see if that works, it might just be be only setup for Directv and Hughesnet and not linear LNBs.

Thanks for the reply. No dish, directv or hughesnet on the meter - I've loaded sat lists three different times: once for ku standard, once for ku universal, and once for c band - all FTA stuff - no dish, directv or hughesnet with any of the lists. Here are some pics of the tuner:

 

[. Raine]

Thanks for the reply. No dish, directv or hughesnet on the meter - I've loaded sat lists three different times: once for ku standard, once for ku universal, and once for c band - all FTA stuff - no dish, directv or hughesnet with any of the lists. Here are some pics of the tuner:

Couldn't find any info on that tuner. I was hoping to find some info so you could check voltages and etc. on the tuner, but nothing, unless I read the # wrong: 4850 191 000 D ?

One pin on the tuner I think should be a 12V or 5V supply and a gnd somewhere, maybe the case, some tuners use 9V, but not very many. If you don't see a supply voltage, you could look for a possible bad voltage regulator on the main board, bad cap, etc. At a guess, I'd think that tuner would be 5V. Possibly might find 33V too. This is kinda guessing, because I'm familiar with TV tuners and not at all with satellite tuners, so I could be all wet on this!

You're connecting to the bottom input F connector and not the top loop out one? I imagine that you already have the manual for the meter, but if you don't, I can post it up for you.

Do you have an old DirectTv LNB kicking around that you could throw onto it and see if it recognizes that? Maybe even reset settings to default and try it?

do you know who originally sold the meter, Horizon, Perfect 10, etc? I see some disclaimers on sites that say their downloads will only work on meters sold by them, like this one from Perfect 10:

Please note that the settings and lists downloadable from this site will work only in BirDog meters sold by Perfect-10 Satellite Distributing, USA. The data is unusable in similar meters purchased elsewhere AND the upload will result in a disabled meter.

When they say disabled, I don't know if they mean permanently disabled or not, hopefully not!

 

[FTA4PA]

Couldn't find any info on that tuner. I was hoping to find some info so you could check voltages and etc. on the tuner, but nothing, unless I read the # wrong: 4850 191 000 D ?

One pin on the tuner I think should be a 12V or 5V supply and a gnd somewhere, maybe the case, some tuners use 9V, but not very many. If you don't see a supply voltage, you could look for a possible bad voltage regulator on the main board, bad cap, etc. At a guess, I'd think that tuner would be 5V. Possibly might find 33V too. This is kinda guessing, because I'm familiar with TV tuners and not at all with satellite tuners, so I could be all wet on this!

You're connecting to the bottom input F connector and not the top loop out one? I imagine that you already have the manual for the meter, but if you don't, I can post it up for you.

Do you have an old DirectTv LNB kicking around that you could throw onto it and see if it recognizes that? Maybe even reset settings to default and try it?

do you know who originally sold the meter, Horizon, Perfect 10, etc? I see some disclaimers on sites that say their downloads will only work on meters sold by them, like this one from Perfect 10:

Please note that the settings and lists downloadable from this site will work only in BirDog meters sold by Perfect-10 Satellite Distributing, USA. The data is unusable in similar meters purchased elsewhere AND the upload will result in a disabled meter.

When they say disabled, I don't know if they mean permanently disabled or not, hopefully not!

Yes, #4850.191.000.D (with . between each number/letter). I had looked as well and couldn't find any reference to that part # nor could I find any kind of schematic or service manual for any model (must be pretty well guarded info). I know the ground wire is there (connected to case) and has good continuity. I will check main board closer and look for voltage regulator part #'s, etc and see if output concurs with ratings (been avoiding doing too much without service info for fear of doing more damage than good but what the heck, it's not like it's gonna fix itself).
Yes, connected to correct port. (I might still have a Directv LNB around - saved the old dish when I went to FTA/Antenna, doubt I pitched LNB).
Tried resetting to defaults before, made no difference.
I saw that disclaimer on web site as well, reads verbatim: "Please note that the settings and lists downloadable from this page will work only in BirDog meters sold by Perfect-10 Satellite Distributing, USA. The data is unusable in similar meters that are labeled "Horizon" on the front panel AND the upload will result in a disabled meter." I bought it used but mine is definitely a Perfect 10, not Horizon (Says Perfect Vision Birdog USB Plus on front panel just like the pics on their website).
I'll do a little more testing and post back anything I find out - Thanks for all the help!

 

[Magic Static]

Can I ask a stupid question? Between the replaceable F connectors and the tuner module inputs are two little pin connectors. Are they intact and in place?
I once pulled apart a Birdog USB plus that had fallen off the roof and both those pins were rolling around on the inside. I could not figure how that could happen, but I know the meter was sealed and never opened until I did.

 

[FTA4PA]

Can I ask a stupid question? Between the replaceable F connectors and the tuner module inputs are two little pin connectors. Are they intact and in place?
I once pulled apart a Birdog USB plus that had fallen off the roof and both those pins were rolling around on the inside. I could not figure how that could happen, but I know the meter was sealed and never opened until I did.

Yep, mentioned in post 5 above - took inputs completely apart back to tuner, cleaned, checked continuity).

 

[jmc98]

FTA4PA i have a birdog usb plus like yours that you can have for parts check your conversations i sent you a message

 

[FTA4PA]

FTA4PA i have a birdog usb plus like yours that you can have for parts check your conversations i sent you a message

Just replied

 

[FTA4PA]

jmc98 has offered a parts meter to help with my repair. Thanks to all who have replied to the thread offering ideas. Special thanks to jmc98!

 

[chaskuchar]

I just got my birdog plus from jm98 this week. finally figured out how to program it. it only had k band and I needed c band satellites. now to test it... chas

 

[jmc98]

I just got my birdog plus from jm98 this week. finally figured out how to program it. it only had k band and I needed c band satellites. now to test it... chas

Glad you figured it out I would charge the battery up before using if you haven't yet

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[cayemo]

HEY guys .....i have a problem whit my birdog the screen is not showing any thing///last week I smack the unit and came back just for a few second,,,,but now all is showing is a bright screen

 

[Bongu]

Cayemo, if you smacked it and something changed I would recommend sending the unit in for service or inspecting for a bad solder joint.

 

[KE4EST]

Yep or check inside the unit for loose connections between main board and LCD board.